breast cancer, late 30s - who are the best doctors in the DMV?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what the PP said about early breast cancer shouldn't necessarily be pooh-poohed. It's great for all those who said "I had X stage BC - piece of cake", but that's not the same for some of us. There *are* types of aggressive cancer. I've been on enough BC sites to know that many many women still die of it. Research, trials, and funding still needs to happen. Patients still need to follow standards of care and consider second opinions. Just because one person had it easy, doesn't mean others will.

There are aggressive cancers. Triple negative and HER2+ usually are more aggressive. The type OP has is usually less aggressive. She has every reason to be encouraged since she has an early stage hormone +/HER2- breast cancer.

And that other person gave no info or advice that was useful. Just dropped a bomb to scare OP. It was jerky behavior.

[Anonymous]

I used Dr de la Cruz at Georgetown and loved her. I also heard good things about Dr Sun

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what the PP said about early breast cancer shouldn't necessarily be pooh-poohed. It's great for all those who said "I had X stage BC - piece of cake", but that's not the same for some of us. There *are* types of aggressive cancer. I've been on enough BC sites to know that many many women still die of it. Research, trials, and funding still needs to happen. Patients still need to follow standards of care and consider second opinions. Just because one person had it easy, doesn't mean others will.

Also was diagnosed at 39 and agree with this. Yes, outcomes are strong and constantly improving, but it’s a disservice to be pollyannaish. For one thing, hormone positive BC means that she will be advised to go on endocrine therapy — either tamoxifen or more likely nowadays, AI+OS which thrusts you into extreme chemopause (goal is zero estrogen, yes zero) - either of which are a lot to be thrown into for 5-10 years at 39. Plus, hormone positive BC has a low but long chance of distant recurrence - it never goes away like it does for the more aggressive (TN and HER+) types. Honestly, it’s a lot to handle mentally.

To the original question - I have had treatment at both Sibley and Georgetown and would recommend Sibley personally, assuming they’re in network (United recently dropped all John’s Hopkins). Dr. Sun mentioned above was wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Do you have kids and a family history of breast cancer? After you have dealt with the treatment It might be beneficial to test for cancer risk genes. The genetic test results could help you kids(or other family members) get better medical care and screaming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what the PP said about early breast cancer shouldn't necessarily be pooh-poohed. It's great for all those who said "I had X stage BC - piece of cake", but that's not the same for some of us. There *are* types of aggressive cancer. I've been on enough BC sites to know that many many women still die of it. Research, trials, and funding still needs to happen. Patients still need to follow standards of care and consider second opinions. Just because one person had it easy, doesn't mean others will.

Also was diagnosed at 39 and agree with this. Yes, outcomes are strong and constantly improving, but it’s a disservice to be pollyannaish. For one thing, hormone positive BC means that she will be advised to go on endocrine therapy — either tamoxifen or more likely nowadays, AI+OS which thrusts you into extreme chemopause (goal is zero estrogen, yes zero) - either of which are a lot to be thrown into for 5-10 years at 39. Plus, hormone positive BC has a low but long chance of distant recurrence - it never goes away like it does for the more aggressive (TN and HER+) types. Honestly, it’s a lot to handle mentally.

To the original question - I have had treatment at both Sibley and Georgetown and would recommend Sibley personally, assuming they’re in network (United recently dropped all John’s Hopkins). Dr. Sun mentioned above was wonderful.

Her+ recurrence risk goes away?

[Anonymous]

I liked Dr Pamela Wright; she works in the same office as Dr Sun mentioned above.

[Anonymous]

Love my team at Georgetown, OP. If you haven’t already, check out https://youngsurvival.org/ I found it a really supportive resource when I was diagnosed under 40. I’m 5+ years out and doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what the PP said about early breast cancer shouldn't necessarily be pooh-poohed. It's great for all those who said "I had X stage BC - piece of cake", but that's not the same for some of us. There *are* types of aggressive cancer. I've been on enough BC sites to know that many many women still die of it. Research, trials, and funding still needs to happen. Patients still need to follow standards of care and consider second opinions. Just because one person had it easy, doesn't mean others will.

Also was diagnosed at 39 and agree with this. Yes, outcomes are strong and constantly improving, but it’s a disservice to be pollyannaish. For one thing, hormone positive BC means that she will be advised to go on endocrine therapy — either tamoxifen or more likely nowadays, AI+OS which thrusts you into extreme chemopause (goal is zero estrogen, yes zero) - either of which are a lot to be thrown into for 5-10 years at 39. Plus, hormone positive BC has a low but long chance of distant recurrence - it never goes away like it does for the more aggressive (TN and HER+) types. Honestly, it’s a lot to handle mentally.

To the original question - I have had treatment at both Sibley and Georgetown and would recommend Sibley personally, assuming they’re in network (United recently dropped all John’s Hopkins). Dr. Sun mentioned above was wonderful.

Her+ recurrence risk goes away?

Her+ and TNBC behave similarly in that if they recur, it’s most likely happening in the first 5 years. With hormone positive BC, only about half the distant recurrence risk is in the first 5 years. You never really get the all-clear.

[Anonymous]

I got a Color gene test while I was healing from the biopsy, before the surgery. Surgeon and oncology were glad to have the results. It's not very expensive and no doctor needed.

[Anonymous]

I am 60 and was diagnosed with Stage 1 HER-2, ER+/PR+, so given that it is still cancer, not too bad. I saw Dr. Teal at GW and am getting a second opinion from Dr. O'Donnell. Not a doctor, but I read a lot and found ASCO has issued new guidance suggesting having lymph nodes removed for someone with my profile is not recommended, though Dr. Teal is recommending that. So a few questions: Can anyone offer insight into their experience with Dr. Teal? Also, has anyone chosen to forgo the SLNB? Finally, has anyone gotten a video consult with Sloan-Kettering and if so, was it worthwhile?